5 Tips to Fix Outlook Sent Items Missing [2024]

Amy Dennis

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Emails • Proven solutions

Life can be more dramatic when you find the sent emails missing in Outlook. Considered one of the oldest email platforms, it has been introduced to us with various editions, such as Outlook 2007/2010/2013/2016 versions. When you confront the "Outlook sent emails missing" error, what can you do? In the post, you can find the answers. We are going to talk about the causes of the problem and then five solutions to the "Outlook Sent Items Missing" will be provided. Let us explore together!

What Causes "Outlook Sent Items Missing" Issue?

We don't believe in directly jumping to the solutions. Rather we would like you to first become familiar with the possible reasons why sent items are missing in Outlook! Here is a list of some of the potential reasons.

• One of the things that can trigger this problem could be the improper sending of the particular item. Of course, we are humans and tend to make mistakes. The item may not sent properly and you have closed Outlook in haste.
• Secondly, if the item you are sending is too old, the problem seems sure to emerge in your life. Make sure the item is not outdated to avoid Outlook sending items missing issues.
• The third and last possibility for us could be the deletion of the item. Probably the item you were to send has been deleted and therefore you are shown the error.

Five Tips to Fix Outlook Sent Items Missing

1 Select the Save Copies of Messages in the Sent Items Folder Option

One of the things that can save you from the trouble is doing some tweaks with the settings of Outlook. There is an option of saving the sent items folders, which when enabled, can help you see what you've sent in your mailbox. Therefore, check in the first place if Outlook-sent items are missing.

For Outlook 2010 and above editions:

Step 1: Launch the Outlook mailbox to begin and hit on "File".

Step 2: Go to "Options" right after that and click on "Mail" in the left panel.

Step 3: Now, simply check "Save copies of messages in Sent Items folder" to turn it on. Click "OK" to confirm.

If you're using Outlook 2007:

Step 1: Tap on "Tools after launching Outlook and go to "Options".

Step 2: Hit on "E-mail Options" in the "Preferences" tab.

Step 3: Check the box next to "Save copies of messages in Sent Items folder" and hit "OK".

2 Check the Outlook Group Policy Setting

Here is another thing you need to do when you find your Outlook sent items folder missing. Follow the steps below and proceed.

Step 1: Open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows + R keys together.

Step 2: Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run box and press either the enter key or click on "OK".

Step 3: Once you do this, here is the path you need to follow according to the Outlook edition you are using. Please ensure to follow it carefully. Here is how it goes:

For Outlook 2007:

Hit on "User Configurations" > "Administrative Templates" > "Classic Administrative Templates (ADM)" > "Microsoft Office Outlook 2007" > "Tools" > "Options" > "Preferences" > "E-mail Options". Choose "Message handling".

For Outlook 2010:

Go to "User Configurations" > "Administrative Templates" > "Classic Administrative Templates (ADM)" > "Microsoft Outlook 2010" > "Outlook Options" > "Preferences" > "E-mail Options". Choose "Message handling".

For Outlook 2013:

Tap on "User Configurations" > "Administrative Templates" > "Microsoft Outlook 2013" > "Outlook Options" > "Preferences" > "E-mail Options". Choose "Message handling".

For Outlook 2016:

Head to "User Configurations" > "Administrative Templates" > "Microsoft Outlook 2016" > "Outlook Options" > "Preferences" > "E-mail Options". Choose "Message handling".

Step 4: Once you do this, hit on the "Enabled" option and choose the "Save copies of messages in the Save Items folder" option.

3 Select an Alternative Folder for Sent Emails

This method will let you select an alternative folder so that whenever you find the Outlook sent items missing, you can have them in this folder. Here is how:

Step 1: Launch Outlook's email by clicking "New Email".

Step 2: Choose "Options" followed by the "Save Sent Item" drop-down menu.

Step 3: Choose "Other folder" and click "New" given in the Select Folder window.

Step 4: This will set up a new folder that will save your sent messages. Click "OK" to confirm.

4 Delete Older Emails From the Sent Items Folder

It is possible that the maximum storage is been used by the Sent Items folder and that could be the reason why your Outlook sent items folder is missing. Therefore, we suggest you remove some older emails to make space for the recently sent emails. This is how you can do this.

Step 1: Start by right-clicking the Sent Items folder and choose "Properties".

Step 2: Choose the "AutoArchive" tab followed by "Archive this folder using these settings".

Step 3: Modify the "Clean out items older than" setting as per your choice.

Step 4: Now, choose "Permanently delete old items and hit "Apply" > "OK".

5 Repair the Outlook profile

There are 2 tools to repair the Outlook profile.

1. Scanpst tool

Scanpst is an inbox tool designed to check the PST files, analyze them, and get them repaired. It can help in specifying the error location as well as checking whether the errors can be repaired or the data has been completely corrupted. It is easily compatible with almost all the entire Outlook versions be it, Outlook97, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2010. It simply lets you find the file, scan it, and then repair it.

2. Wondershare Repairit Email Repair

To fix the Outlook sent items missing issue, Wondershare Repairit is the best tool you can't miss. It can help you repair both the PST and OST formats on Windows or Mac computers. It is fully secure to use and one can rely on its performance without any doubt. Here is how to solve the Outlook sent items missing problem with it.

Step 1: Download and Install

First, you need to download and install Wondershare Repairit on your desktop.

Step 2: Find/Add Email Files

Launch the program and click Select Files to add the corrupted or inaccessible PST file you want to repair. If you're not sure where the file is stored, you can choose the Find File tab, and select a location to let Repairit search the PST file for you. When the files are uploaded successfully, click Repair to start the repairing work.

Step 3: Preview and Save

When the repairing process completes, double-click the files and preview. Now, you can check if the Outlook sent items missing problem is solved. If yes, select a location to save the repaired files.

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The Bottom Line

We are about to end the discussion here with great hope that you have liked our efforts and got helped with the solutions on Outlook sent items missing problem. If you still have any queries or questions regarding the issue, we are still there for you. Simply feel free to comment with us below and we will surely reach you. Also, it would be a great moment for us if you could share your views on this post. We hope that we can help you and promise to bring you more such beneficial topics in the future. Thank you, folks!